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‘It kind of feels like a full circle moment for me’: Crandall commits to Panthers

January 16, 2025 by Dan Holm

Ryan Crandall, shown here during his senior season at Ankeny in 2021, will play for Northern Iowa next year under new head coach Todd Stepsis. He will also be reunited with Rick Nelson, who coached him at Ankeny. Nelson was retained by Stepsis to coach the Panthers’ offensive line. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

Former Ankeny football standout Ryan Crandall is headed to Cedar Falls.

One of the most productive linebackers at the NCAA Division I FCS level last season, Crandall announced on Wednesday that he will play next year at Northern Iowa under new head coach Todd Stepsis.

“I looked at a handful of schools,” said Crandall, who started 26 games in three years at Western Illinois. “I think UNI will be a great fit because of the new staff. Coach Stepsis was great and a big part of why I committed.”

Crandall will be reunited with Rick Nelson, who coached him at Ankeny. Nelson was the UNI offensive line coach under Mark Farley, and he was retained by Stepsis following the coaching change.

“Coach Nelson got rehired, so he also vouched for me,” Crandall said. “It kind of feels like a full circle moment for me.”

Crandall helped Western Illinois to a 4-8 record last season. He led the team with 91 tackles.

Crandall will have one year of eligibility left, along with a redshirt year.

Filed Under: Football, Hawks Tagged With: Featured, Ryan Crandall

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